Frequently Asked Questions
Where do the dogs come from?
Most of the dogs are rescued from the municipally operated animal shelters in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. We have accepted dogs from rescue organizations in other parts of Texas and New Mexico. We also get dogs from people who find them running loose, from owners who can no longer keep them, and from private shelters (SPCA, Humane Society, etc.).
What medical care do they receive?
Every dog is given an incoming examination by a veterinarian. At that time the dog gets a rabies vaccination and is tested for heart worms. We then take the dog to our rescue kennels and vaccinate against Canine Distemper, Adenovirus Type 2, Corona, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus, Leptospira Canicola, Icterohaemorrhagiae Bacterin and Bordatella Bronchiseptica. If the dog has not already been altered we spay or neuter it. If the dog has heart worms it receives heart worm treatment. All dogs are placed on heart worm preventive. The dogs are also treated for intestinal parasites and sprayed with Frontline for flea control. If the dog has any other problem (broken bone, skin condition, wound, infection, illness) it receives appropriate veterinary care and recuperates in our kennels. The really sick ones move into our house until they get better.  All dogs are micro-chipped with AVID chips for permanent identification purposes.
Do you have any puppies?
We seldom get puppies. It seems like people stop taking good care of their dogs once they get to be a year or two old and that's when the dog ends up at the pound. We do, however, get them from time to time. If you really want a puppy, keep checking back with us. We only adopt out puppies (dogs under one year) to people who meet all our requirements, who live in the North Texas area, and who come to Doberhof to be interviewed.  The reason for this is that we get over twenty applications for each puppy, and we choose to adopt them to people we come to know in person, and that we can easily visit after the adoption.
Isn't it riskier adopting an older dog since you can't train them from puppy hood?
We don't think so. The personality of an adult dog is much more apparent than that of a puppy, so by coming to our rescue kennels and meeting the dog before you adopt it, you can have a good idea of what the dog is going to be like. Puppies, on the other hand, still have to go through adolescence and can end up quite different from the cute fur-ball you originally fall in love with. Also note that it is our policy to allow you to return a dog that isn't working out and exchange it for another Doberman.
I have small children and am worried about how the dog will behave with kids. Isn't it better to get a puppy so it grows up with my children?
We don't think so.  We  firmly believe in having you and your kids meet the dog before you adopt. Then you can see for yourself how the dog behaves with your kids. You still need to be careful and watch how the dog and your kids interact when you get home. And you need to train your children not to be mean to your dog.
How do you know how old the dogs are?
The vets checks their teeth and other characteristics and give us an estimated age. Obviously, we don't know when the dog was born so we can only make a best-guess.
Why do I have to keep my dog on heart worm preventive?
Heart worms are transmitted by mosquitoes. The risk of catching them is very high in North Texas. Heart worms can kill your dog or cause permanent injury. We don't care to have "our" dogs go through that, they have already been through more than a dog should have to endure. So we insist you put them on preventive. A simple once-a-month pill is all it takes.
Do the dogs have papers?
No.  Most come from shelters, so there is no way for us to get their papers.  When a dog does come in with paper, typically an owner-release, we send them in to the AKC with a letter notifying them that the dog has been spayed/neutered.  This is to avoid a puppy mill getting its hands on the papers and using them to fraudulently register litters. If you want to show your dog in obedience, agility, tracking or other competition other than conformation, you can get an ILP number from the American Kennel Club. With an ILP number you can show an un-registered Dobe in everything except conformation.
How much does it cost to adopt a Doberman?
There is no adoption fee.  We do, however, ask for donations to support our efforts. The veterinary treatment the dogs require is very expensive. In order for us to remain in operation we need your support.  Please donate $350.00 if you are interested in a puppy (under one year of age); $300.00 if you are interested in a cropped-eared adult, and $225.00 if you are interested in a natural-eared adult.
What if I adopt a dog and it doesn't work out?
No problem. Bring the dog back and exchange it for another one. We are concerned that the dogs get homes where they fit in and are loved.
I have a Doberman that I can't keep. Can you help me?
Yes. We keep a referral list of dogs that people are trying to place. We'll add your dog to our web page and pass your phone number to people who are interested in it. 
I live too far from Dallas to adopt a dog from Doberman Rescue of North Texas. Is there a Doberman Rescue organization in my area?
There probably is. The Doberman Pinscher Club of America COPE/Rescue Committee publishes a list of rescuers, the Doberman Rescue Directory. Try looking there.
I've tried in my area, but no one does Doberman Rescue here. Will you adopt to me anyway?
No.  We no longer adopt out of our area.  You must live within a two hour drive of Doberhof for us to adopt to you.
I have more questions!
Call us or send us an e-mail.
For more information about Doberman Rescue of North Texas, please feel free to email us or phone the rescue.